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Xavi reveal key Aubameyang skill Barcelona have ‘missed’

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, FC Barcelona
Credit: FC Barcelona
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The Gabonese striker made his first start for Barcelona in the Europa League match against Napoli.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s intense pressing is something Barcelona have missed, according to manager Xavi Hernandez.

After coming off the bench against Atletico Madrid and Espanyol, Aubameyang made his first start for Barcelona in Thursday’s first leg against Napoli in the Europa League knockout playoffs.

The former Arsenal captain created Barca’s best chance in the opening half by releasing Ferran Torres, only for the Spaniard to shoot wide.

Luuk de Jong eventually replaced Aubameyang in the 85th-minute as a substitute, but the Dutchman couldn’t find a winner as the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.

Auba praised after his first start

The first leg may not have ended as Xavi or Aubameyang wanted, but the manager was still pleased with his new signing’s effort during a tough fixture.

“Good, very good,” Xavi said of Aubameyang’s performance.

“Perhaps he struggled a bit to link up with his teammates. He is a player with a very good physical capacity.

“He has tried. His pressing was intense, which we have missed.

“That is what we ask of him, and then he will score and create things. He is a great player and he will contribute like Adama [Traore] and Ferran.”

Torres scored Barcelona’s goal from a second-half penalty after  Piotr Zielinski had put Napoli in front at Camp Nou.

The two sides will face each other again next Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League tie.

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